Friday, July 30, 2010

Asking $449,900 for this three level, two bedrooms plus family room, two and one-half baths home. View more photos HERE

I was out filming the neighborhood in Northcenter today and also received our professional photos back for our listing. Check them out! This is a three level condo that lives and feels more like a town house. There are no neighbors above or below you. Plus, you get a rare two car heated attached garage.

The penthouse level offers really flexible space. You can have a family room, guest bedroom and office all on this floor to really maximize the quality of life.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

My wife Jillian and I will host a casual wine and cheese reception for those interested in au pairs. This is a great way to learn if this child care option is right for you. We've hosted an au pair for eight months and love the relationship. Learn ins -and -outs, shatter some myths and meet other parents curious about au pair programs. It can be very affordable and flexible compared to full time nannies.

*Please contact me (Eric) at 773-510-1597 or by email at erojas@rubloff.com for specific information. Just mention the au pair meeting. Below is the general time, date and location.

What: Au Pair informational wine and cheese receptionWhen: Wednesday, August 18th at 7:00PMWhere: Lincoln Square area (location will be sent in an e-vite)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Pride of ownership! Not a hair out of place! Windows, brick, roof tile, fences, awnings... wow. Great detail on this pretty West Wilson Avenue bungalow near the North Branch of the Chicago River. And this is just one beautiful house in a crowd for the Ravenswood Manor neighborhood.

My son Ryne and I caught some kickball games earlier this evening at Winnemac Park in Ravenswood across from my house. It's rare to see so many bikes locked up at a park in Chicago (outside maybe the lakefront). This row wrapped around the whole southeast corner of the fence. Ravenswood certainly has "green" street cred!

The next community meeting to view revised plans for the Ravenswood Metra station is on August 3rd at 7PM. here are the details from Alderman Schulter's office:

I would like to invite all 47th Ward residents to attend an Open House to view the Metra Infrastructure Project which will include all bridges along Ravenswood, from Balmoral to Grace. This will be part of the $80 million stimulus and federally funded project.The meeting will be held next Tuesday, August 3rd at 7pm at the Auditorium of the Bethany Retirement Community located at 4950 N Ashland Ave. As always, I highly encourage and welcome all ward residents to come to this Open House.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Take a look at one of our Lake View condos for sale in this video tour. There's a nice street view and we discuss why it shows well. You'll notice the furniture is a perfect fit for each room...shows great.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Our Wicker Park home listing here was priced right, well maintained and sold in three days!

Due to our recent condo sales in the Wicker Park neighborhood we've been watching the market closely to find trends. We've noticed a good number of condo transactions in the greater Community Area of West Town relative to other north side neighborhoods. The Wicker Park neighborhood of West Town- particularly when hugging trendy West Division street within a couple blocks north and south- makes up the bulk of condo transactions here. Buyers are continually attracted to the amenities, night life, transportation and proximity to downtown that Wicker park offers.

The top dollar prices are paid just north and south of West Division Street in the area between North Ashland Avenue and North Western Avenue. However, the sub-neighborhood of Noble Square located just East of Ashland in Wicker Park can save you over ten percent (10%) off comparable unit sales West of Ashland. You need only walk a couple extra blocks to experience the same neighborhood amenities. This location may also put you closer to the CTA Blue Line.

Noble Square area:

Some statistics:

The hottest condo market is the two to three above grade bedrooms, two bathrooms condo variety. These are the "minimum wants" for most buyers these days. In June, there were 57 of these types of condos sold with an average closed price of $364,892 and a median price of $330,000.

33 of the 57 closed units were east of North Western Avenue. 14 of those units were in either vintage conversion buildings or existing loft building conversions. The rest were newer construction buildings from the past 5 to 10 years.

There is a large amount of conversion lofts and newer construction 3 and 6 flats in the neighborhood.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

As many now know, the north side neighborhood of Andersonville in the Edgewater Community Area is a destination for furniture and accessories shoppers.From new to antique, modern to country chic you'll spend a day perusing the stores on North Clark Street.

With two kids and an Au pair at home, my wife and I are always looking for fun (free) ideas to keep them entertained while we're working. Lincoln Park Zoo is a great destination, but they've also created a new habitat at the South Pond (south end of Zoo adjacent to Cafe Brauer).

Great price at 3231 N Clifton #3N for sale $425,000. It's a two bedrooms, two baths condo with garage parking, great closet space, fireplace, tree top views, deck and gorgeous custom built-in entertainment center. If you are looking for immaculate, move-in quality in Lake View, this is it. The contemporary decor will inspire you.

Fantastic location on North Clifton Street in Lake View. Walk to the CTA Red Line at Sheffield, popular Southport Corridor shopping and dining, and Wrigley Field. North Clark Street and West Belmont shopping and dining. Clifton is a quiet one way street going north... no Belmont traffic! A Walk Score of 94.

This home is in the best location of Northcenter, steps from the CTA Brown Line, renovated Jewel Food Store, the popular Brown Trout restaurant, upscale Sola, Martyr's music club, Borwnstone Tavern and among dozens of shops, bars, amenities all at your doorstep. You are very close to all that Lincoln Square and Roscoe Village have to offer.

This home is for sale now. Call or email us for a showing. New photos and interactive floor-plan are coming soon.

We're back in Lincoln Park's very residential section of tree-lined streets and parks. 1058 W Altgeld has...oh just enough limestone detail and texture to make the grade! With so much standard newer construction missing the mark, we like this understated, yet stately single family home. Quality construction is always an eye catcher these days.

Stroll to Jonquil Park or head downtown on the CTA Red Line at Fullerton and Sheffield. But always know you can retreat back to your sophisticated manor on a quiet city block.

Realtor Eric Rojas on HGTV's House Hunters

As seen in Chicago Magazine

Real Estate Broker and Author of this Blog

I am a Chicago real estate broker who began writing this blog in 2005. My group represents clients buying, selling and renting properties. I've been awarded Top 5% in sales volume for Chicago Association of Realtors every year from 2006-2013. Thanks for reading and working with us!
All posts and photos are by Eric Rojas and Bob DePalma unless otherwise noted. Contact us at erojas@kalerealty.com for great service!